Date:22/07/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/07/22/stories/2006072225370500.htm

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Two groups clash over land dispute

Staff Reporter

HYDERABAD: A long-pending land dispute led to a clash between two groups at Gokul plots locality in Miyapur police station area on Friday.

While the landowner Prasad alleged that locals manhandled his men and damaged his vehicle when he went there to fence his land as per High Court order, locals charged that Prasad's henchmen tried to attack them with swords when they asked for details of the court order.

For the past 20 years, a legal battle has been going on over proprietary rights of nearly 120 acres of land in Gokul plots area. Some locals allegedly occupied 30 acres of the land, building permanent and semi-permanent structures. Recently, Mr. Prasad secured High Court order to fence the remaining land.

Mr. Prasad's workers, accompanied by Revenue Department officials, arrived at the land in the morning, but a group of locals allegedly pulled out the fencing wire and rocks and entered into an argument with them. Residents of the area Sanjeeva Reddy and Choudhary alleged that they caught one of Prasad's men Babloo, who was carrying a sword, to attack them.

But Prasad's workers alleged that the duo led a group, which damaged their Tata Sumo. Cases and counter cases were registered against both of them, Miyapur Inspector J. Bhadreshwar said.